1910.269: Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Region IV - OSHA

Scope This standard covers the operation and maintenance of electric power generation, control, transformation transmission, an distribution lines and equipment.

Construction VS Maintenance The erection of new electric lines and equipment. The alteration, conversion, and improvement of existing lines and equipment.

1910.269(a)(2): Training All employees: Safety practices of 1910.269 Emergency procedures Other necessary safety practices

Training in Emergency Procedures

1910.269(a)(2): Training Qualified employees: Ability to distinguish live parts Ability to determine voltage Knowledge of minimum approach distances Ability to use protective equipment Qualified employees are trained and competent in safety procedures.

1910.269(a)(2): Training Regular supervision and annual inspection to determine compliance Follow-up training and retraining: New work procedures Tasks performed infrequently Certification Annual Inspections to determine if employees are complying with rules.

1910.269(b)(1): CPR & First Aid Training Performing work on or associated with: Exposed lines, or Equipment energized at 50 volts or more

1910.269(b)(1): CPR & First Aid Training Field work - crews of two or more employees: Two trained persons, or All new hires trained within 3 months Fixed work locations: Trained person available within 4 minutes, or All employees are trained

1910.269(b)(2): First Aid Supplies First aid supplies in a weatherproof container on a service truck. Refer to 1910.151(b) & Appendix A.

1910.269(c): Job Briefing Subjects: Hazards and personal protective equipment Work procedures and special precautions Energy source control Ensure tailgate meeting with all employees covering job functions and identify job hazards. Should cover ways and means to protect from identified hazards. Check for tools and equipment inspections to be used on the job site. Ensure all workers are trained for the task at hand.

Job Briefing

1910.269(c): Job Briefing Number of briefings: Before start of each day or shift Additional job briefings if significant changes occur Based on nature and complexity of work Job planning for one-person crews

1910.269(d): Hazardous Energy Control Procedures Deenergize and lock or tag Additional protective measures for tags Protection equivalent to locks Additional exceptions: Central control of energy isolating devices Protection equivalent to personal locks or tags System operator controls locks and tags Identify employee before device removal

1910.269(d)(2)(ii)(B): Use of Tagout System Only Demonstrate full employee protection Safety equivalent to lockout

Application of Lockout Tags rather than locks are commonly used in electric utilities

1910.269(d)(2)(ii)(B): Use of Tagout System Only Examples of demonstration of employee protection: Removal of a fuse Removal of an isolating circuit element Blocking mechanism on switch Opening of additional switches on main circuit, on control circuit

1910.269(e): Enclosed Spaces Entered under normal operating conditions: Manholes, Vaults Applies to routine entry in lieu of 1910.146(d) to (k) 1910.269(e) & (t) apply to entry only

1910.269(e): Enclosed Spaces 1910.146(c) still applies: Identify permit spaces Keep unqualified persons out Coordinate with contractors If hazardous conditions develop, use 1910.146

1910.269(e): Enclosed Spaces Enclosed Spaces (Specific) Training: Entrants, attendants Rescue equipment provided Evaluate hazards: Use of attendants Test, ventilate, monitor

Manhole Atmospheric Testing prior to Entry

Manhole Vault with Protective Barrier

Vault Entry Rescue training

Vault Entry Rescue Equipment

Testing Equipment

1910.269(g): Personal Protective Equipment Follow Part 1910, Subpart I: Eye and face Respiratory Head, foot Electrical protective devices

Lineman with Protective Gear

Supplied Air Respirator

Air-Purifying Respirator Negative-pressure fit check

Air-Purifying Respirator Positive-pressure fit check

1910.269(g)(2): Fall Protection When required: Heights greater than 4 feet Poles, towers, and similar structures

Pole Climbing

Body Belt

Pole Climbing Strap

Tower Climbing Tower Climbing with proper person protective equipment

Tower Climbing Tower Climbing with proper person protective equipment

1910.269(g)(2): Fall Protection Not required by qualified employee: Climbing Changing location Must be free from unsafe conditions: Ice, high winds, contamination on structure Must have hands free for climbing

1910.269(g)(2): Fall Protection Does not address working on: Portions of buildings Electric equipment (transformers, capacitors) Aerial lifts

OSHA requires fall protection when working from an aerial lift device. A complete aerial assembly is shown in the photo: A fall restraint belt (belts are no longer acceptable, must use a harness) A lanyard An attachment point (boom strap or the lift manufacturer’s ring).

OSHA requires fall protection when working from an aerial lift device. A complete aerial assembly is shown in the photo: A fall restraint belt (belts are no longer acceptable, must use a harness) A lanyard An attachment point (boom strap or the lift manufacturer’s ring).

1910.269(h): Ladders, Platforms, Step Bolts, & Manhole Steps Part 1910, Subpart D applies Special ladders and platforms: Exempt from pitch & footing requirements Must be secured in position May not be overloaded

Special Ladder Special ladder secured in position

1910.269(h): Ladders, Platforms, Step Bolts, & Manhole Steps Special ladders and platforms Cont’d: Must be designed for use Must have a safety factor of at least 2.5 times the maximum Intended load

1910.269(i): Hand and Portable Power Tools Cord - and plug connected equipment: Part 1910, Subpart S applies Grounded, double - insulated, or connected through an isolated transformer with an ungrounded secondary Portable and vehicle - mounted generators Hydraulic and pneumatic tools

1910.269(j): Live - Line Tools Design: 100 kv/ft for fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) 75 kv/ft for wood Condition of tools: Daily inspection before use; inspection every two years Tests after repair and after inspection for hollow FRP and wood tools

Live Line Tools Telescoping hot-stick

Live Line Tools

1910.269(k): Materials Handling and Storage Part 1910, Subpart N applies Storage in areas restricted to qualified persons: Materials must be outside working space See 1910.269(u)(1) and (v)(3) Storage in unrestricted areas: Materials must be 10 ft away Add 4 inches for every kv over 50 kV

1910.269(l)(1): Qualified employees only At least two persons for: Work with exposure at more than 600 V Work with equivalent hazards Two persons not required for: Live - line tool work Routine switching Emergency repairs

1910.269(l)(2): Minimum Approach Distances Minimum approach distances (Tables R-6 through R-10) Exceptions: Insulate the employee Insulate the live part Employee is insulated from other exposed conductive object, As during live-line bare-hand work

Safety Equipment Inspection

Installation of Rubber Blankets

1910.269(l)(6): Apparel Conductive Clothing: Prohibited unless no increased hazard of electrical contact Flammable Clothing: Train employees in hazards Clothing may not increase extent of possible injury

100% Cotton Shirt Employee was working from an elevated aerial lift, wearing 100% cotton shirt, when he was exposed to an arc blast. Shirt ignited and continued to burn until the shirt was removed and extinguished by the employees on the ground. Employees was working on equipment energized to ~8000 VAC phase-to-ground.

100% Cotton Shirt Employee was working from an elevated aerial lift, wearing 100% cotton shirt, when he was exposed to an arc blast. Shirt ignited and continued to burn until the shirt was removed and extinguished by the employees on the ground. Employees was working on equipment energized to ~8000 VAC phase-to-ground.

Synthetic Shirt Employee working from an elevated aerial lift when he made contact with energized cut-off switch. Cut-off switch energized to ~8kVAC phase-to- ground

Clothing Issue What method are you using to protect employees from electric arcs and flames? Flame Retardant. Treated. 100% Cotton. Appropriate weight. Documentation.

Denim Jeans Employee working on ground grabbed an energized phase while wearing only his leather protector gloves. Pants stopped burning after energy source was removed. Exposed to ~8kV phase to ground.

100% Cotton Sock Employee working on ground grabbed an energized phase while wearing only leather protector gloves. Sock stopped burning after energy source was removed. Sock was inside employees leather boot Exposed to ~8kV phase to ground.

Flame Resistant Shirt Employee working from bucket truck made contact with energized cut-off switch. Exposed to ~8kV phase to ground. Employee received no burn damage to areas protected by shirt.

This shirt is 100% Flash flame Flash-resistant 5 ½ oz cotton treated with a washable flame resistant treatment. Questions to ask: Has the employer provided employees with handling instruction (Cleaning)? Do the employees know how many times they can wash the shirt, (Shirt life)? Do the employees know how to clean the shirt? Do the employees know that the treatment will wear out? Who cleans the shirts (i.e. Employer or employee)? How was the shirt selected?

1910.269(m): Deenergizing Lines and Equipment for Employee Protection

Employee Protection Applies to transmission and distribution System operator controls switching - central control No central control - use employee in charge Request clearance of system from operator

Employee Protection Deenergize line: Open disconnecting means Tag disconnecting means Test for deenergized conditions Install protective grounds

Employee Protection Work on line Release clearance: Notify employees Clear employees Remove protective grounds Report to the system operator

Employee Protection Reenergize Line: Remove tags Close disconnecting means

1910.269(n): Grounding for the Protection of Employees Ground deenergized lines, unless No possibility of contact with other source hazard of induced voltage is not present Equipotential zone Test before applying grounds

Grounds

Grounds

Grounding of Lines

Checking Ground Wire

Ground Installation Proper order of connection and removal: Install ground end first Remove line or equipment end first

1910.269(o): Testing and Test Facilities Applies to high-power and high-voltage testing rather than routine line work Establish safe practices Guard test areas Grounding to be established and implemented Safety checks required

1910.269(p): Mechanical Equipment Mechanical considerations: Inspection Provisions for backing up Roll-over protective structures Outriggers Load ratings

Bucket Truck

Digger Derrick Truck

Bucket Truck Bucket truck with outriggers fully extended

1910.269(p): Mechanical Equipment Operations near energized lines (equipment) Maintain minimum approach distance: Insulated portion of aerial lift is exempt Designated observer if necessary

Warning Label on Bucket Truck

Lineman in Bucket

1910.269(p): Mechanical Equipment Additional precautions: Insulate the lines, or Insulate the mechanical equipment, or Protect employees from hazardous differences in potential

Insulating Lines

Insulating Lines

Protecting Employee form Differences in potential

Protecting Employee form Differences in potential

1910.269(q): Overhead Lines Poles, towers safe for climbing (Test methods for poles in Appendix D) Installing and removing lines: Mechanical considerations Electrical considerations Live-line bare-hand work; training required Tower and structure work

1910.269(r): Line - Clearance Tree Trimming Operations Employees must conduct a tailgate meeting to discuss hazards, nominal, voltage of power lines, qualified person.

1910.269(r)(1): Electrical Not applicable to qualified employees Always maintain minimum approach distance Work may not be performed in adverse weather conditions Special training required for work in the aftermath of a storm

Tree Limb Lodged Between Two Energized Lines

Mechanical Equipment Requirements for: Brush chippers Sprayers Stump cutters Power saws

1910.269(r)(8): Fall Protection Each employee shall be tied in with a climbing rope and safety saddle when the employee is working aloft in a tree.

1910.269(s): Communication Facilities Microwave Transmission: See 1910.97 Radiation protection guide Power Line Carrier

1910.269(t): Underground Electrical Installations Access (ladder etc.) required for depth >4 ft. Attendants for manholes: First aid and CPR training. Employee on the surface may enter briefly to assist; other than emergency. No attendant for housekeeping, taking readings, etc.

Access ladder for Underground Electrical Installation (Vault)

First Aid Training Inside a Vault

1910.269(t): Underground Electrical Installations Defective cables: Deenergize, if possible Use shield to contain fault

1910.269(u): Substations Access and working space: NESC guidelines Guarding of live parts: NESC guidelines, or Subpart S (NEC) requirements Keep draw-out-type circuit breakers in open position when removing or inserting Grounding of conductive fences

Substation Overview

Detailed View of Transformers

Insulators & Connectors

1910.269(v): Power Generation Access and working space: NESC guidelines Guarding of live parts: NESC guidelines, or Subpart S (NEC) requirements Changing generator brushes: Check for ground condition

1910.269(v): Power Generation Chemical cleaning of boilers - restrict access, post signs Chlorine systems Coal and ash handling: MSHA jurisdiction Railroad Conveyors Storage areas

1910.269(w): Special Conditions Capacitors Illumination to enable performing safe work Protection against drowning (U.S. Coast Guard approved floating devices) Employee protection in public work areas: Traffic control Barricades

Traffic Control

Warning Sign